(CCCB-Ottawa)…A delegation from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is in Rome until 17 November 2009 for meetings with officials from the Holy See.

The group is composed of newly elected CCCB President Bishop Pierre Morissette of Saint-Jérôme, Vice President Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton, and General Secretary Msgr. Mario Paquette, P.H.

While in Rome, they will meet with various officials from the Curia - the central offices assisting the Holy Father in the governance of the Catholic Church - including the Secretariat of State, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Congregation for Bishops, Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and for Societies of Apostolic Life and Congregation for Catholic Education.

These meetings permit open exchanges on a regular basis between the Canadian Episcopal Conference and the Roman Curia regarding common projects, preoccupations and challenges for the Catholic Church both in Canada and around the world.